Saphenectomy

In general, a saphenectomy is the
procedure that has been traditionally practiced even since
the beginnings of vascular surgery as treatment for most of
the venous conditions in which the most frequent symptom is
the formation of varicose veins in the legs.

This technique consists in the surgical
excision of the great saphenous vein or the small saphenous
vein. The former is a long vein that originates in the internal
face of the ankle; it passes through the medial face of the
leg, while lightly bordering the knee, to come towards the
back of the thigh where it reaches the groin and curves inwardly,
joining the femoral vein.

In all its trajectory, the great
saphenous vein receives many branches or tributary veins and
has some connections with the deep circulation of the leg;
additionally, it is full of valves that guide the flow of
the blood ever upwards (towards the heart). It is precisely
these that are associated with the principle causes of varicose
veins and that allow the dilation of the saphenous vein and
consequently, of its tributaries (which are much smaller and
put up less resistance).

It
is due to this that a saphenectomy has become one of the fundamental
bases of varicose vein treatment in the legs since the saphenous
is the vein that becomes a varicose in approximately 80% of
all instances.

All varicose veins are large (bigger than 7mm in diameter)
and are located in the internal face of the leg/thigh.

It is evident that the saphenous vein is insufficient.

The varicose veins are direct tributaries of the great
saphenous vein.

After a physical examination (performed by a surgeon,
Doppler ultrasound o vein map) it is demonstrated that there
is a backflow in the union of the saphenous and femoral
veins.

There are varicose present at groin level related with
the great saphenous vein.

Varicose veins or vein insufficiency where a minor saphenectomy
would be indicated are present.

If
you suffer from any of the above, it is recommended for you
to consider a consultation with Dr. Camacho. During your initial
appointment, the doctor will be able to determine if a saphenectomy
is the adequate procedure for your particular circumstance
and can give you more suggestions.

The
technique of a saphenectomy is quite simple. Two incisions
are made, one in the interior face of the ankle (it is a small
incision; more or less around 8mm) and another at the level
of the groin, in the interior face as well (more or less 15mm
in length). At both sites, dissections of the saphenous vein
are performed, joining both ends with an absorbable string.
After this, a thin wire or plastic filament is passed through
the whole vein, beginning at the ankle, until it emerges at
the end of the groin.

At the end of the ankle, this filament
has a small ball (which is attached to the saphenous vein)
and it is removed by pulling it out through the incision at
the groin, extracting the vein with it. All the tributaries
of the saphenous vein that are in the way of the extractor
rapidly stop bleeding because they collapse. After the procedure,
you will have to wear a compression stocking or an elastic
bandage for two weeks.

Dr. Camacho guarantees excellent
results and a quick recovery. The patient will be able to
return to their normal activities around two weeks after the
procedure.

During
the first night after a saphenectomy, you will need to sleep
with your legs up high. The next day, Dr. Camacho recommends
for you to walk around 15 minutes, alternating with 2 hours
of rest; you should increase your walking time around 5 minutes
per day until the 4th day after the surgery. At this point,
you can resume normal walking and can rest around 2 to 3 times
a day. To make your recovery period much more comfortable,
the doctor can prescribe some medication for you.

Your
sutured incisions need to be washed twice a day. You must
remember that you need to wear your compression stocking or
elastic bandage for 2 weeks straight. Your stitches should
be removed 7 days afterwards by Dr. Camacho, or if you must
travel before this time, by a health specialist.

Make sure to ask Dr. Camacho concerning any risks you might
have to face when undertaking this procedure. In order to
keep the risks at a bare minimum, please make sure that you
follow the doctor’s instructions at all times.

The
information given in this website should be considered as
an introduction to a saphenectomy. Before deciding on submitting
yourself to the procedure described above, we highly recommend
you contact us directly, so we can answer any specific question
you might have.